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Immune function biomarkers in children exposed to lead and organochlorine compounds: a cross-sectional study
- Source :
- Environmental Health, Vol 4, Iss 1, p 5 (2005), Environmental Health
- Publication Year :
- 2005
- Publisher :
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2005.
-
Abstract
- Background Different organochlorines and lead (Pb) have been shown to have immunomodulating properties. Children are at greater risk for exposure to these environmental toxicants, but very little data exist on simultaneous exposures to these substances. Methods We investigated whether the organochlorine compounds (OC) dichlorodiphenylethylene (DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH), the sum of polychlorinated biphenyls (ΣPCBs) and Pb were associated with immune markers such as immunoglobulin (Ig) levels, white blood cell (WBC), counts of lymphocytes; eosinophils and their eosinophilic granula as well as IgE count on basophils. The investigation was part of a cross-sectional environmental study in Hesse, Germany. In 1995, exposure to OC and Pb were determined, questionnaire data collected and immune markers quantified in 331 children. For the analyses, exposure (OC and Pb) concentrations were grouped in quartiles (γ-HCH into tertiles). Using linear regression, controlling for age, gender, passive smoking, serum lipids, and infections in the previous 12 months, we assessed the association between exposures and immune markers. Adjusted geometric means are provided for the different exposure levels. Results Geometric means were: DDE 0.32 μg/L, ΣPCBs 0.50 μg/L, HCB 0.22 μg/L, γ-HCH 0.02 μg/L and Pb 26.8 μg/L. The ΣPCBs was significantly associated with increased IgM levels, whereas HCB was inversely related to IgM. There was a higher number of NK cells (CD56+) with increased γ-HCH concentrations. At higher lead concentrations we saw increased IgE levels. DDE showed the most associations with significant increases in WBC count, in IgE count on basophils, IgE, IgG, and IgA levels. DDE was also found to significantly decrease eosinophilic granula content. Conclusion Low-level exposures to OC and lead (Pb) in children may have immunomodulating effects. The increased IgE levels, IgE count on basophils, and the reduction of eosinophilic granula at higher DDE concentrations showed a most consistent pattern, which could be of clinical importance in the etiology of allergic diseases.
- Subjects :
- Male
Parents
Increased IgM level
T-Lymphocytes
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Physiology
Immunoglobulin E
lcsh:RC963-969
chemistry.chemical_compound
Germany
Surveys and Questionnaires
White blood cell
Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated
Leukocytes
Humans
Medicine
Child
B-Lymphocytes
biology
business.industry
Research
lcsh:Public aspects of medicine
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
lcsh:RA1-1270
Environmental Exposure
Hexachlorobenzene
Environmental exposure
Increased IgE level
Breast Feeding
Cross-Sectional Studies
medicine.anatomical_structure
Lead
chemistry
Immunology
lcsh:Industrial medicine. Industrial hygiene
biology.protein
Female
Antibody
business
Breast feeding
Biomarkers
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 1476069X
- Volume :
- 4
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Environmental Health
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....25ec087db8c1e0fb1a7dd8931a6a8d4f